Woodworking machine



c. 13; 1938. J H. LONSKEY WOODWORKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1936 3Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 13, 1938. J. H. LONSKEYV WOODWORKING MACHINE FiledFeb. 10, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 13, 193 8. LQNSKEY 2,140,322

WOODWORKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10,1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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Patented Dec. 13, 1938 PATENT OFFIQE W ODWORKING MACHINE John H.Lcnskey, Ypsilanti, Mich., assignor to Central Specialty 00., Ypsilanti,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application February 10, 1936, SerialNo. 63,060

4 Claims.

My invention relates to wood working machines and more particularly tovarious improved arrangements for readily and accurately positioning thewood, or other material to be worked upon, with respect to the cuttingtool of the machine.

Such Wood working machines as jointers or planers, as Well as benchsaws, are ordinarily provided with a work-receiving table, and thecutting tool, such as the rotary cutter of a jointer or planer or acircular saw, extends above an edge of the table or through a suitableaperture therein. Since the cutting tool is driven at relatively highspeed by an electric driving motor or the like, it is desirable that itsposition should remain fixed in order to simplify the drivingarrangement, and the material to be worked upon must therefore be movedto the necessary position with respect to the cutting tool to effect theparticular shaping thereof desired. It has heretofore been the commonpractice to prc-vide some arrangement for adjusting the position of thetable with respect to the cutting tool and also to provide aWork-guiding fence extending horizontally along the table, which forms alateral supporting surface for the material worked upon. The fence isordinarily movable transversely of the table and its angular positionwith respect to the table is also preferably adjustable. That is, anarrangement may be provided to adjustably tilt the fence about either avertical or horizontal axis or both, the fence being clamped in itsadjusted position. It will be seen that by such a dual adjustment of thetable and fence, a rigid support is provided against which a board orthe like may be firmly pressed While moving the same into contact withthe cutting tool at any selected angle of incidence.

It is an object of my invention to provide a Wood working machine havingan improved arrangement for moving an angularly adjustable fencetransversely of the table without disturbing the angular adjustmentthereof and for holding the fence in its adjusted transverse positionwithout the necessity of actuating a separate clamping lever or thelike.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wood working machinehaving an improved 50 mechanism for effecting the angular adjustment ofthe fence, and for moving the same transversely of the table withoutdisturbing the angular adjustment, the mechanism being capable of suchadjustment of the fence with great accuracy and yet requiring a minimumamount of expensive precision machining and adjustment during themanufacture and assembly.

Another object of my invention is to provide a Wood working machinehaving an improved mechanism for effecting the accurate angular andtransverse adjustment of a fence therefor with respect to the table ofthe machine, the mechanism including a transverse shaft and a sleeveaxially movable along the same upon rotation of the shaft, a platerigidly secured to the fence substantially at right angles thereto,clamping means for selectively holding said plate in ad- Justed angularposition with respect to the table, means operatively connecting theplate and sleeve for moving the plate transversely of the table.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wood working machinehaving an improved mechanism for effecting the accurate angular andtransverse adjustment of a fence therefor with respect to the table ofthe machine, the mechanism including a transverse shaft arranged at oneend of the table and having a sleeve axially movable along the same uponrotation of the shaft, 2. vertical plate secured to one end of thefence, means for clamping the plate in various angular positions on thesleeve, the mechanism having an extended portion bearing against a guidearranged substantially parallel to the axis of the cutting tool of themachine to prevent tilting of the plate and fence, and to hold the fenceat right angles with respect to the cutting tool.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent asthe following description proceeds and the features of novelty whichcharacterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to theaccompanying drawings in which,

Figure l is a side elevation of a jointer, embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front end elevation partly in section of the fenceadjusting mechanism for the jointer shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2 of thefence adjusting mechanism shown in. Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the protractor plate and locking mechanismtherefor in section along the line 44 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional View along the line 5 5 Fig. 6. of theWork-receiving table and of the supporting and adjusting mechanismtherefor, of the jointer shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the front portion ofthe jointer shown in Fig. 1, showing particularly the front tablesupporting and adjusting mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the jointer shown in Figs. 1 and 2illustrating particularly the guard plate arrangement for the cuttingtool of the jointer.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the supporting and biasingarrangement for the guard plate shown in Fig. 7, the guard plate beingillustrated in its retracted position.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown in' Fig. 1 a jointer, whichembodies my invention, and which is described in detail below, althoughit will be understood that various aspects of my invention aresusceptible of application to numerous other forms and types of woodworking machines. The jointer shown in Fig. 1 includes a base frame I!)having a rotary drum shaped cutting tool I I journaled in suitableball-bearings mounted on the upper portion thereof. The cutting tool IIis rotatable about a horizontal axis and is preferably driven by anelectric motor, Which may be connected thereto by a suitable drivingarrangement such as a belt. The cutting tool II is provided with one ormore longitudinally extending cutting blades I2. A front table I3 and arear table I4 are slidably mounted on inclined ways I5 and I6,respectively, formed on the base frame. The work-receiving tables I3 andI4 may be independently slid up or down along the inclined ways I 5 andI6 respectively, by means of my improved adjusting mechanism, which ishereinafter described in greater detail. The flat upper surfaces of thetables I3 and I4 are thus moved vertically with respect to the cuttingtool II. This vertical adjustment'of the tables I3 and I4 makes itpossible to adjust the depth of cut made in the bottom of a board or thelike which is moved along the work-receiving tables and into contactwith the cutting tool II.

'A work-guiding fence I! extends horizontally over the tables I3 and I4and forms a lateral support for boards or the like which are movedacross the tables into contact with the cutting tool II. It will benoted that the fence I1 is provided with a smooth fiat bearing surfaceI8 against which the wood may be pressed. A reenforcing web I9 is formedon the rear of the fence IT. Depending lugs II are formed on the loweredge of the fence I! and form a pivotal support for the fence.

I have provided an improved arrangement for moving the fence i]transversely with respect to the tables I3 and i4, as well as foradjusting the angular position of the fence I! with respect to thetables. It is possible, with my improved arrangement, to adjust theangular position of the fence I! and then move the same transverselywith respect to the tables without affecting or changing the angularadjustment. As a consequence, it is possible to secure a very accurateadjustment of the fence and when this adjustment has once been obtainedit is unnecessary for the operator to waste time in again obtaining thedesired angular adjustment even though the fence is moved transverselywith respect to the table in order to bring the wood into contact withother and sharper parts of the cutting tool after a portion thereof hasbecome dulled. In general, my improved supporting and adjustingarrangement for the fence includes a screw shaft 01 similar memberextending transversely of the table and a traveling nut or the likemounted thereon to which the fence is connected. The friction betweenthe screw shaft and nut serves to hold the fence in its adjustedtransverse position so that no separate clamp need be provided for thatpurpose.

In the particular form of my invention illustrated, a protractor plateis rigidly secured to the front end of the fence H by a series of screws2I, the inner ends of which are threaded in tapped holes formed in anintegral triangular lug 22, which extends from the rear surface of thefence H. The protractor plate 20 is formed with a straight edge 23arranged substantially in alignment with the fiat bearing surface 93 ofthe fence I1 and an arcuate oppositely positioned edge 24. An indexscale 25. is formed on the arcuate edge 24 of the protractor plate 23and indicates the angular relation of the fiat bearing surface !8 of thefence I! with respect to the flat upper surfaces of the tables !3 andI4.

The mechanism. for moving the protractor plate 20 and fence I'Itransversely with respect to the tables I3 and I4 includes an elongatedshaft or screw 26 which extends transversely of the table I3 adjacentthe front end thereof and is mounted in an elongated recess Zl formed inthe front edge of the table I 3. The opposite ends of the screw 26 areloosely journaled in suitable holes formed in the end walls of therecess 27 and axial movement of the screw 26 is prevented by a splinescrew engaging a groove 26'? in the shaft 26. One end 28 of the screw 26extends entirely through the adjacent end wall of the recess 21 and asuitable crank type manual operating handle 29 is rigidly securedthereto. A sleeve or traveling nut 3E3 is threaded on the screw 26 andis thus moved axially along the same upon rotation of the screw by theoperating handle 29.

An arrangement is provided for loosely mounting the protractor plate 20on the traveling nut 30, as well as for clamping the plate 23 in variousadjusted positions thereon. This arrangement includes arcuate slot 3iformed the protractor plate 28 and a lateral cylindrical stud orprojection 32 formed on the traveling nut and extending through thisarcuate slot. The center line of the arcuate slot 3| lies on a circlehaving its center at the intersection of the front face is of the fenceI! and the upper surface of the front table I3. An arcuate recess 33 isformed in the rear surface of the protractor plate 23 by a flange 33 andextends entirely about the edges of the arcuate slot 3I therein and adisc shaped guide seat 34 formed on the projection 32 is slida'blydisposed in the arcuate recess 33. An arcuate flange 35 is formed on thefront face of the protractor plate 28 and extends entirely about theedges of the arcuate slot 35. A suitable clamping arrangement isprovided for clamping the protractor plate 20 between a member bearingagainst the front edge of the flange 35 and the guide seat member 34,which bears against the rear surface of the protractor plate 26. Theprotractor plate may thus be swung about an axis substantiallycoincident with the top of the table I3 by moving the projection 32along the arcuate slot 3|, and the protractor plate and its attachedfence may then be clamped in any desired position.

As best shown in Fig. 3. the clamping arrangement includes a stud 36having a threaded outer end 3'! and a knurled inner end 38. The knurledclamping mechanism described above.

inner end of'the stud; 36. has a-iorce-fit in martialhole iiQ-formed-inthe proieetion.-.ii2. A; pressure washer 40; having a convex:sphericahseat onthc. outer surface thereofis loosely: mounted on. thestud 36. The pressure washer 40 may; be pressed tightly into engagement:with. the adjacent. por-- tion. of the flange35 formed on the.protractor plate Zilrby movement; of a nut 4?; along thestud 36, the nut42 being threaded; on the; outer end portion 3? of the stud. The nut42'- includesa hexagonal head; portion 4.3. and a. tubular body portion445 ofsomewhat: smaller diameter-than. the hexagonal head. Theinner endof thebodyportion of the nutv 42' is. provided vcitha concave sphericalbearing surface or. seat 45, which may be pressed against thecomplementaryspherical seat formed on the pressure washer 49. A discshaped retainer 3!; is welded orotherwise rigidly secured to the outerend of the stud 36 and prevents the removal of thenut 42' therefrom.

A manual locking lever or wrench 48 is provided for moving the nut 42alongthe stud 3B and thus clamping the protractor plate 20' betweenthepressure washerfifl and-the guide seat 34. This locking lever isprovided with a socket head 4'! adapted to fit thehexagonal head 43 ofthe nut 42. It will thus be seen that the. socket head 41 of'theoperating handle 45 may be moved axially into operative engagement withthe hexagonal head 43 of the nut oroutof operative engagement with thesame into a position where it surrounds the tubular portion 44 of thenut 42, which is of reduced outer diameter. A disc shaped locking leverretainer 48' is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer end ofthe nut 42, the diameter of the retainer being somewhat greaterthan thatof the recess formed in the socket portion 41 of thelocking leverlii.

A guide is provided for preventing tilting of; the protractorplate 29and fence H about the axis of the screw 26 and for maintaining the fencesubstantially at right angles with respect tothe cutter ll. As bestshown in Fig.3; this gu de is preferably in the form of a rectangularstrip of hardened steel 49 which is detachably, secured to thelower sideof thetable l3 adiacent t he front end thereof by screws iii]. Thescrews 50 pass through laterally extending slots 51 formed in the stripat so that the strip may be adjusted laterally in such manner that its.lateral edge. 52, which extends laterally beyond the edge of the tablei3, is arranged substantially parallel with the axisof the. cutter I lsothat thefence. II. will be held at right angles to the cutter. lateraledge 52 of the strip 49 is carefully machined in order that it will forma straight flat bearing surface for a downwardly projecting lower endportion of the pro-tractor plate ZQWhiCh frictiom. ally engages thesame. This guide arrangfiment including the detachable strip secured tothe table i3, is particularly advantageous in minimizing the amount ofprecision machining re-. quired in manufacturing the adjusting and Thatis, the upper surface of the table I3; is ground or otherwise machinedflat as is the edge 52- ofthe strip 49. Then, when the strip 49 issecured to the table It by the screws 51 it may be readily andaccurately positioned in alignment with the cutter i2 so that the fenceI! extends at right angles to the cutter. As a result, no guides or thelike need be machined on the table [3 itself. The only finishing on theend of the table and in. the recess 27 that isrequ-ired is the usualrough.

finishinggiven to the apparatus order to improve its appearance Inparticular, it is unnecessary; to accurately machine the end of thetable in alignment with the screw 26, and the screw 26 itself may beloosely mounted.

In the. operation of the adjusting mechanism for the fence H describedabove the locking lever 4.3: is first moved into engagement with the nut42 and the latter is unscrewed along the stud 36. so as to loosen thepressure washer 4.0-. The pro.- tractor plate 2.0 is then moved withrespect to the table [31 until the desired angular relation of: theprotractor plate and fence with respect to the top. of the tableisobtained. This angular position is accurately indicated by the indexscale 25 on the protractor plate 20. at the front edge of the front,table i3. The nut 42 is then moved along the stud 35 oy the lockinglever 46 until the pressure, Washer 40 is pressedtightly against theflange 3.5 on the protractor plate 20, thus firmly clamping thepro-tractor plate and attached fence ll in position. Since the pressurewasher 4i and nut 42 are provided with spherical; bearing surfaces M and45 the stud 36 need not; be arranged exactly at right angles withresheet to the plate 20 as the clamping pressure on the sphericalbearing surfaces will not cause any tting Qfi-theplate 2%.andzattachedience H ev it the. stud .6" is. scmewhat. out of alignment.When he nmtractor plate 2.0 is clamped in posiin-rt-he manner describedit will; thus be seen that it has. what; amounts. to a. three-pointv support; In particular itv contacts the guide strip .8 n atleast two.points. spaced longitudinally on thestripandthe third. point of support,is or the travelling nut 33. The locking lever 1% is then preferablyslid along the nut 42. out of engagement. with the hexagonal head 43thereof, so.- that, any subsequent accidental contact with the.operating, lever will. not. loosen the pressure washer 49 and thus.changethe angular adjustment of the protractor plate. Aiter havingsecured the proper angular adjustment of the fence 1: in this manner,it. may then be moved transversely-with respect to thetable. I13 uponrotation. of-the shaft. or screw 26 by rotation of the manual operatinghandle 29-. As theoperating handle 29 is turned, therotationcf the.screw 26 causes the tr-ayeling nut 39 to move axially along the same andsincelthe. protractor plate 20 and the fence Fl": are clamped to thetraveling nut, they are also. moved transverselylwith respect to thetable In. The. friction between the screw shaft 26 and traveling nut 30as well. as the. friction between the plate. 281. and strip 49. holdsthe fence H in its adjusted transverse position without the useanvlotherolamping meansv It should also be notedthat all of the parts ofthe adjusting mechanism. are. readily accessible from the front of thetable.

The jointer illustrated in the accompanying drawings also includes anarrangement for ads iustins the position. i he work-receivin tables withrespect to the cutting tool of the machine. Ir; general. I have.provided an arrangement for Selectively adjusting the relative verticalposition of: the tableswith respect tothecutting tool and also anarrangement for rigidly clamping the tables. their adjusted position,thereby preventin actuation of the adjusting means. In th pa ti ul rterm o my nv n ion illustrated and as best shown in Fig. 6, the frontvtable [3 is provided wi h downwardly ext n in triangular hap d ribs orsuppo in m m ers 53; which a sl la ly mounted inclined rectan u a Waysi5. Downwardly extending inner flanges 54 are formed on the ribs 53 andrest in complementary notches 555 formed in the walls of the base itadjacent the ways E5, to prevent lateral displacement of the table 13with respect to the inclined ways 45. A transverse web 5! is formed inthe it and is provided with a bore or recess 58 therein which isarranged substantially at right angles with respect to the ways I5. Atable adnut or plug 59 is loosely mounted in the bore 58 and anadjusting screw 61! is threaded in a tapped hole 6i extendingtransversely through the plug 59. The adjusting screw 6!] is looselyjournaled in holes 62 and 63 formed. in dependlugs 5:3 and 65 extendingfrom the lower side of the table l3. Axial movement of the adjustingscrew 68 with respect to the table is prevented by spline screw 65 whichengages a groove in the adjusting screw 50. Consequentl ro tation of theadjusting screw 58 by a suitable knurled head 6! causes the adjustingscrew $8 to be screwed through the plug 59 and the table is consequentlymoved along the inclined ways 35. I will thus be seen that the verticalposition of the table 13 with respect to the cutting tool l i may beadjusted with precision by the adjust ing screw Bil.

I have also provided an arrangement for lockthe table in its adjustedposition so as to prevent movement thereof by the adjusting screw 56. Asbest shown in Fig. 5, this arrangement includes a clamping screw 68which is threaded in a tapped hole 69 formed in the base frame 10 andextending transversely thereof. The inner end 10 of the clamping screw68 is beveled at substantially the same angle as the inclined walls 7.!of an annular groove 12 formed in the lower portion of the plug 59. Anoppositely positioned headless screw 13 is threaded in a tapped hole 14formed on the opposite side of the base frame 10 substantially in axialalignment with the hole 59, and the tapered inner end of the screw 13also engages the inclined wall of the groove 12. The headless screw 13is screwed into the hole a sufficient distance that its inner endfrictionally engages the wall of the groove 72 formed in the plug 59without, however, exerting suincient pressure to prevent relativerotation between th adjusting screw 60 and the plug 59. Then when theclamping screw 68 is screwed into the tapped hole 69, its inner endWedges against the adjacent wall of the groove 12 and this wedgingaction causes the plug 59 to move downwardly. As a consequence, a veryheavy frictional load is imposed on the contacting threads of theadusting screw 60 and plug 59 so that relative movement therebetween isprevented. It will thus be seen that actuation of the adjusting screwmay be selectively prevented or permitted by tghtening or loosening,respectively, of the clamping screw 68. The knurled head 68 of theclamping screw 68 is preferably positioned on the side of the base frameID in order that it will be readily accessible.

I have also provided an arrangement for maintaining a predeterminedamount of tension on the table l3 so that some force is applied theretoto keep the bearing ways IS in close contact even when the position ofthe table is being changed by the adjusting screw 60. As is best shownin Fig. 5, a cap screw 15 is threaded in a tapped hole 16 formed in thelower end of the plug 59. The cap screw 15 serves to clamp a disc shapedretaining member 11 firmly against the lower portion of the web 51. Theretaining member 11 is resilient and is preferably made of soft rubber.A metal cup 18 is fitted over the upper end and sides of the retainingmember 11 and a washer I9 is interposed between the adjacent surfaces ofthe head of the cap screw 15 and the retaining member 17. It will thusbe seen that when the cap screw 15 is screwed into the hole 16, theretaining member 11 is compressed between the head of the cap screw 15and the bottom of the downwardly extending portion of the web 51 inwhich the bore 58 is formed. As a consequence, a downward pull on theplug 59 is exerted and the bearing surfaces of the ways l5 are held inclose contact. This pressure, however, is sufficiently small that theposition of the table l3 may be readily changed by means of theadjusting screw 6!! but the pressure tending to hold the bearingsurfaces of the ways l5 together prevents sawdust, dirt, or otherforeign matter from entering between the bearing surfaces and thuschanging the adjustment of the table l3.

The improved mounting and adjusting arrangement for the work-receivingtable which I have described above is particularly advantageous inanother respect in that the table may be removed from the inclined wayon which it is mounted and then replaced without altering the positionaladjustment of the table. Thus, if it is desired to remove the table l3from the base ID the headless screw '13, as well as the clamping screw68 are retracted until their inner ends are out of engagement with thegroove l2 formed in the plug 59. The cap screw 15, retaining member 11,cut 18, and washer 19 are also removed. The table l3 may then be readilylifted from the base Hi, the plug 59 being moved upwardly out of thebore 58 until it is free of the same. When the table is againreassembled on the base the plug 59 is inserted into the bore 58 and thescrews 68 and 13, as well as the cap screw 15 and the retaining memberparts are replaced. It will thus be seen that it is possible to removethe table I3 from the way l5 without changing the position or adjustmentof the adjusting screw 60 so that when the table I3 is put back on theway !5, its previous adjustment with respect to the cutting tool II willbe retained. Moreover, simple easily manufactured rectangular waysrather than dove-tail ways are used and it is unnecessary to providegibs or the like to prevent separation of the bearing surfaces of theways.

The rear work-receiving table I4 is provided with an adjusting andclamping arrangement for mounting it on the inclined ways l6 which issubstantially identical with that described above for the front tablel3.

As best shown in Figs, '7 and 8, I have provided a guard platearrangement in which a flat guard plate is normally positioned above thecutting tool in such manner that the guard plate covers the portion ofthe cutting tool which is not covered by the board or other piece ofmaterial being shaped. The mounting'for the guard plate is also soarranged that the guard plate may be readily latched in a retractedposition in order to facilitate inspection, assembly, disassembly orrepair of the cutting tool. In the machine illustrated, a flat guardplate 80 is mounted on a downwardly extending pivot pin 8! in suchmanner that it may swing in a horizontal plane above the cutting toolii. The guard plate 8% is shown in its retracted position in Figs. 7 and8, its normal position above the cutting tool being indicated indot-dash lines. The lower end of the pivot pin 8! is loosely journaledin a hole 82 75 formed in a lateral projection 83 extending from theside of the front work-receiving table l3. A collar 8 is detachablysecured to the lower portion of the pivot pin 86 by a set screw 85 thuslimiting upward axial movement of the pivot pin. A helical spring 86surrounds the pivot pin 8!, the lower end 37 of the. spring 86 beinghooked over the projection 83. The upper end of the spring Elli bearsagainst a downwardly extending lug 95 formed on the lower surface of theguard plate iiii. It will thus be seen that spring 85 supports the guardplate 88 above the cutting tool ll under axial compression while thetorsional tension in the spring tends to swing the guard plate in aclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. '7, thus positioning the same overthe cutting tool. A downwardly extending lug 89 formed on the outer edgeof the guard plate 8! limits this clockwise movement of the guard plate.When it is desired to expose the cutting tool l i in order to inspectthe same or to remove it from the machine, repair it or the like, theguard plate may be swung in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed inFig. '7, and then depressed by the operator against the tension of thespring 36. When in this depressed position the forward edge of the guardplate may be latched under the flange or projection 90 formed on theadjacent edge of the table it in the position shown in full lines inFigs. 7 and 8 so that the guard plate is thus held in its retractedposition.

Although I have shown a particular embodiment of my invention inconnection with a jointer particularly designed for use in a small workshop, it will be understood that I do not desire to limit my inventionto the particular construction shown and described and in the appendedclaims I intend to cover all modifications within the spirit and scopeof my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a wood working machine provided with awork-receiving table and a cutting tool, a rotatable shaft mountedadjacent one end of the table and extending transversely thereof, asleeve mounted on said shaft, means including cooperating parts on saidshaft and sleeve for effective axial movement of said sleeve along saidshaft upon rotation of said shaft, a manual operating handle for saidshaft, a vertically positioned plate having an arcuate slot formedtherein, a threaded stud projecting laterally from said sleeve andextending through said slot, means including a nut threaded on said studfor clamping said plate on said sleeve in various adjusted positionsthereof, means including a manually operable locking lever for movingsaid nut, said locking lever being provided with a socket portionmovable axially along said stud into and out of operative position withrespect to said nut, and a fence rigidly secured to said plate andextending over the table.

2. In combination with a wood working ma chine provided with a workreceiving table and a cutting tool, an elongated rotatable screw mountedadjacent one end of the table and extending transversely thereof, atraveling nut mounted on said screw, said traveling nut being movableaxially along said screw upon rotation of said screw, a manual operatinghandle for rotating said screw, a Vertically positioned plate having anarcuate slot formed therein, a threaded stud projecting laterally fromsaid traveling nut and extending through said slot, means including anut threaded on said stud and a clamping washer interposed between saidnut and said plate for clamping said plate on said sleeve in variousadjusted positions thereof, said nut and said clamping Washer beingprovided with cooperating adjacent spherical bearing surfaces, and afence rigidly secured to said plate and extending over the table.

3. The combination in a wood working machine having a work table and atransversely disposed rotatable cuttingtool, of a work guiding fenceextending over the table and a mechanism for traversing said fenceaxially of said tool and clamping the same accurately in position atright angles to the tool axis, said mechanism comprising a transverselyextending lead screw disposed on said table at one end thereof, meansfor journaling said screw on said table for rotational movement whilerestraining the same against bodily axial movement, a traveling nut onsaid screw traversable along the same transversely of said table uponrotation of said screw, a guide member presenting a smooth machinedlateral edge, means for adjustably securing said guide member to saidend of said table with said edge paralleling said tool axis andprojecting outwardly from the adjacent end portion of the table, a platefast on the outer end of said fence and depending over the end of saidtable, said plate presenting a flat inner surface abutting said guidemember edge, and means for releasably clamping said plate against saidnut and in contact with a substantial length of said guide member edgeto form in effect a rigid three-point support for said fence lying in aplane determined by the position of the edge of said adjustable guidemember and paralleling said tool axis.

4. The combination in a wood working machine having a work table and atransversely disposed rotatable cutting tool, of a work guiding fenceextending over the table and a mechanism for traversing said fenceaxially of said tool and clamping the same accurately in position atright angles to the tool axis, said mechanism comprising a transverselyextending elongated rotatable shaft disposed on said table at one endthereof, means for journaling said shaft on said table for rotationalmovement while restraining the same against bodily axial movement, asleeve on said shaft traversable along the same transversely of saidtable upon rotation of said shaft, a guide member presenting a smoothmachined lateral edge, means for adjustably securing said guide memberto said end of said table with said edge paralleling said tool axis andprojecting outwardly from the adjacent end portion of the table, a platefast on the outer end of said fence and depending over the end of saidtable, said plate presenting a fiat inner surface abutting said guidemember edge, and means for releasably clamping said plate against saidsleeve in selected angular positions about a horizontal axislongitudinal of the table and with said inner plate surface in contactwith a substantial length of said guide member edge to form in effect arigid three-point support for said fence lying in a plane determined bythe position of the edge of said adjustable guide member and parallelingsaid tool axis.

JOHN H. LONSKEY.

